Quick connecting universal electrical box and wiring system

• US 6,376,770 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2000
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Douglas Hyde
• Original Assignee: Douglas Hyde
• Inventors: Hyde, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinkins, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US09/514,775
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 174/58, 174/48, 174/50, 174/53, 174/63, 174/17.R, 248/906, 248/343, 220/3.6, 220/3.8, 220/4.02, 220/3.92, 220/3.3, 220/3.5, 220/3.94, 439/535, 361/600, 361/641, 335/28, 33D/IG.10
• US Class Current: 174/58
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/123 in thin walls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

A quick connecting universal electrical box system for mounting of electrical sockets, switches or any electronic or communication component that is typically installed into a wall is disclosed. The system has a mounting frame and an electrical box, which can be pre-wired with any socket unit or component, such that installation of the electrical box into a wall is greatly simplified. The mounting frame is first inserted into a wall, followed by insertion of the electrical box into the mounting frame. The action of inserting the electrical box into the mounting frame forces flaps in the mounting frame to engage and lock the mounting frame into the wall. Retaining studs formed on flexible side panels of the electrical box then engage with corresponding openings in the mounting frame to secure the electrical box within the mounting frame. Secure installation of this electrical box is simple and quick without the need for any tools or fastening screws.

Claims

1. Electrical box mounting system, comprising

an electrical box for receiving a functional insert;

and

a mounting frame for insertion into a wall opening for an electrical box;

the mounting frame having a body being shaped and constructed for receiving the electrical box, and having locking means for locking the mounting frame in the wall opening, the locking means being movable from an inactive position wherein the mounting frame is insertable into the wall opening to a locking position wherein the locking means retain the mounting frame in the wall opening, whereby the locking means are forced into the locking position upon insertion of the electrical box into the mounting frame.

2. Electrical box mounting system as defined in claim 1, wherein the functional insert is a power or data consumer or controller.

3. Electrical box mounting system as defined in claim 1, wherein the locking means are rotatable between the inactive and locking positions.

4. Electrical box mounting system as defined in claim 1, wherein the electrical box is a conventional electrical box for receiving one of an electrical outlet and a switch.

5. Electrical box mounting system as defined in claim 1, wherein the locking means are rotatable between the inactive and locking positions for releasably locking the mounting frame in the wall opening.

6. Electrical box mounting system as defined in claim 1, wherein the mounting frame has a wall surface engaging flange and a rim depending therefrom and extending in the direction of a wall thickness, the locking means being attached to the depending rim.

7. Electrical box mounting system as defined in claim 6, wherein the locking means are rotatably attached to the depending rim.

8. Electrical box mounting system as defined in claim 7, wherein the mounting frame is shaped and constructed for installation into a wall panel including the wall opening, the depending rim extending perpendicularly from the flange and having a depth at least equal to the thickness of the wall panel.

9. Electrical box mounting system as defined in claim 8, wherein the depending rim has a front edge attached to the flange and an opposite rear edge, the locking means being attached to the rear edge of the depending rim.

10. Electrical box mounting system as defined in claim 9, wherein the mounting frame is rectangular and the depending flange includes a pair of opposite wall sections, the locking means being attached to the wall sections.

11. Electrical box mounting system as defined in claim 10, wherein the wall sections are top and bottom wall sections respectively positioned at the top and bottom ends of the mounting frame when the frame is installed in the wall opening.

12. Electrical box mounting system as defined in claim 11, wherein the locking means are a pair of U-shaped claws rotatably affixed to the top and bottom wall sections, the claws having a pair of spaced apart legs, the spacing therebetween being equal to the thickness of the wall panel.

13. Electrical box mounting system as defined in claim 6, wherein the locking means are attached to the depending rim be an intermediate living hinge.

14. Electrical box mounting frame for retaining an electrical box in a wall opening, comprising:

body being shaped and constructed for receiving the electrical box, and locking means for locking the mounting frame in the wall opening, the locking means being movable from an inactive position wherein the mounting frame is insertable into the wall opening to a locking position wherein the locking means retain the mounting frame in the wall opening, whereby the locking means are forced into the locking position upon insertion of the electrical box into the mounting frame.

15. Electrical box mounting frame as defined in claim 14, wherein the locking means are rotatable between the inactive and locking positions.

16. Electrical box mounting frame as defined in claim 15, wherein the electrical box is a conventional electrical box for receiving one of an electrical outlet and a switch.

17. Electrical box mounting frame as defined in claim 16, wherein the locking means are rotatable between the inactive and locking positions for releasably locking the mounting frame in the wall opening.

18. Electrical box mounting frame as defined in claim 17, further comprising a wall surface engaging flange and a rim depending therefrom and extending in the direction of a wall thickness, the locking means being attached to the depending rim.

19. Electrical box mounting frame as defined in claim 18, wherein the locking means are rotatably attached to the depending rim.

20. Electrical box mounting frame as defined in claim 19, wherein the mounting frame is shaped and constructed for installation into a wall panel including the wall opening, the depending rim extending perpendicularly from the flange and having a depth at least equal to the thickness of the wall panel.

21. Electrical box mounting frame as defined in claim 20, wherein the depending rim has a front edge attached to the flange and an opposite rear edge, the locking means being attached to the rear edge of the depending rim.

22. Electrical box mounting frame as defined in claim 21, wherein the mounting frame is rectangular and the depending flange includes a pair of opposite wall sections, the locking means being attached to the wall sections.

23. Electrical box mounting frame as defined in claim 22, wherein the wall sections are top and bottom wall sections respectively positioned at the top and bottom ends of the mounting frame when the frame is installed in the wall opening.

24. Electrical box mounting frame as defined in claim 23, wherein the locking means are a pair of U-shaped claws rotatably affixed to the top and bottom wall sections, the claws having a pair of spaced apart legs, the spacing therebetween being equal to the thickness of the wall panel.

25. Electrical box mounting frame as defined in claim 19, wherein the locking means are attached to the depending rim by an intermediate living hinge.